Gaining influence at your workplace exposes you to multiple doors of opportunities, even those that can lead to significant career advancement. Here are my five tips on how to increase your influence in the workplace.

Have you always wondered how you can persuade and influence others in your workplace to get more done and advance the projects you care about?

When you are influential, you increase your chances of being noticed, getting a raise, or getting promoted.

Research shows that we spend one-third of our lives at work, so it is worth the effort to learn how to increase your influence to make the workplace as friendly and less stressful as possible.

Here are my five tips on how to increase your influence in the workplace.

1. Be a listener

In our attempt to win friends and influence others, we assume we have to be the one doing all the talking. This is not always the case because effective listening is equally as powerful as effective speaking.

Research conducted by Daniel Ames of Columbia University shows that listening has a more effective and powerful impact on influencing others than speaking.

The above research results should be a signal for you to try to listen more than you speak.

According to Dale Carnegie in “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” one of the most effective ways to boost your likability and influence is becoming a good listener.

Understand that people also want to feel that their words and opinions matter. So when you grant them that audience and recognize their opinions, they are more likely to hear you out when it’s your turn to speak.
This shows your colleagues that you care about what they have to say.

Also, by listening, you can learn something new and establish mutual respect and trust.

2. Develop connections

People are more willing to support you, buy into your ideas, and do things for you when they like you.

Likeability is one of the six principles of influence, as explained by Robert Cialdini in his book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.

According to author and professor, Dorie Clark, “one of the reasons people do things for you is because they like you.”
This reflects how easier it can be to influence people who already like and admire you.

There is no better way to get your colleagues to like you than by developing a genuine connection with them.

You don’t have to be their best or closest colleague. Checking on them to see if they need anything, showing them that you care about what matters to them, complimenting them at every opportunity are some ways to build that connection.

3. Become the expert

People are easily influenced by someone who knows their job, not someone who is always struggling to meet deadlines.

So, to successfully get your colleagues to follow you, become an expert in your field.

This may require you to take extra steps to develop your knowledge, skills, and expertise.
Read books, attend seminars and networking events, take new certifications, and strive to become the best at what you do.

Even outside of your field, become that person who everyone goes to for help to get their problem solved.
So, develop your leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

By positioning yourself as the problem solver within the organization, many people would come to you for help.

When you are the “go-to” man, people get to like you more which ultimately increases your chances of successfully influencing them when necessary.

Another principle in Robert Cialdini’s book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, is the “principle of reciprocity.”

The reciprocity principle demonstrates that as humans, we do not like to feel indebted to other people, and we are likely to do anything to repay the favor.

This means that when you do a colleague a favor, they are more likely to be of help whenever you call on them.

4.Tell them what they stand to benefit

When you propose a project or a plan to colleagues, tell them precisely what they stand to gain.

People are more open to being convinced by you when they know what they will benefit from your agenda.
They want to know what’s in it for them, so when you fail to let them know what’s in it for them you reduce your chances of influencing them.

Author of Power Cues, Nick Morgan suggests you do your homework by finding out what will capture their attention and what they need to hear.

“Make sure you are answering the question, what is in it for me?” Morgan says.

Additionally, ensure that your proposal isn’t selfish or of personal interest.

Remember, this is a workplace after all, where everyone has come together to promote the organization’s growth.
So, all proposals should naturally benefit the organization and its members at large.

Dorie Clark, in her book Entrepreneurial you, stated that where your ideas or proposal is fundamentally one of self-interest, people are unlikely to follow you.

One way to communicate the collective benefit is by using the word “We” instead of “I.” The use of “We” is an expression of a collective benefit.

So, if you are looking to get people on your side, let them know what they stand to benefit.

5. Be a leader

Leaders are influencers.

However, effective leaders don’t become influential by using mere persuasive words. Instead, they lead by example.
Becoming an influential leader requires focusing on actions rather than words. It can be counterproductive to develop your influence by forcing your thoughts and ideas on the people you lead.

Arguments and speeches alone can’t win your colleagues over; you have to do the work of giving them a reason to follow you.
So,

• Be the first to resume work
• Be the last to leave when necessary
• Be disciplined
• Demonstrate high integrity and ethics
• Improve your interpersonal communication skills
• Work hard and be consistent
• Help others grow

Note, however, that you do not have to be in a position of authority or leadership to exercise all of these qualities.

Where you have a good record of leading by example, people become more willing and open to listen to you and d what you ask them to.

Checkout: Top 10 Qualities of a Good Leader.

Conclusion

Having influence at your workplace can be beneficial to your growth and career advancement.

When you develop the ability to influence your colleague, you strengthen the chance of getting that promotion, salary raise, and the cooperation of your peers.

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